Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) launched its fourth annual high seas patrol on June 9, 2026, to detect and deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the North Pacific Ocean. The mission, known as Operation North Pacific Guard (Op. NPG), aims to protect fish stocks and marine ecosystems, which are under increasing pressure from climate change and IUU activities. IUU fishing accounts for approximately 30 per cent of all fishing activity worldwide, threatening global seafood supply chains and fair markets.

Operation Details

The patrol is led by DFO fishery officers and supported by the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. International partners include the United States Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Fisheries Agency of Japan, and the Republic of Korea Coast Guard. The mission will cover over 15,000 km of high seas and last for two months.

Assets and Capabilities

The primary vessel for the mission is the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a high endurance, multi-purpose, and biofuel-capable light icebreaker. Additionally, Canada has deployed a long-range Fisheries Aerial Surveillance and Enforcement aircraft to Hokkaido, Japan, for daily aerial patrols. This aircraft has previously identified conservation issues such as shark finning, dolphin harpooning, and pollution violations.

Strategic Importance

Op. NPG is funded by the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative, which received $412.9 million over five years under A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature. The operation also aligns with Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, reinforcing international law and deepening partnerships with Indo-Pacific economies. Canadian fishery officers have participated in Op. NPG since 2019, enforcing the United Nations ban on high seas driftnets and verifying compliance with Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO) regulations.

International Cooperation

The mission underscores Canada's commitment to international collaboration in maritime security. Prime Minister Carney and Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi announced a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on March 6, 2026, which includes strengthened cooperation on maritime security and information sharing. This year's operation involves 19 DFO fishery officers, including four conducting air surveillance in Japan and one joining Japan's patrol vessel as a ship rider.

Environmental Data Collection

Beyond enforcement, fishery officers will collect environmental data and water samples to support research on high seas environments. These samples will be analyzed in Canada and Japan to study the migration range of species like Pacific salmon and microplastic levels in the water. The Canadian Coast Guard was transferred to the Department of National Defence in 2025, enhancing its role in maritime security and sovereignty.

Canadian entrepreneurship declined in the first quarter of 2026 as businesses faced rising payment challenges to banks and lenders, according to new data from Equifax Canada. The volume of active young businesses, defined as those 24 months and younger, decreased significantly by 38.7 per cent. This decline suggests that escalating operating costs, persistent inflation, and current macroeconomic conditions are degrading the viability of business ownership and hindering new enterprise creation across the country.

Despite these pressures, the Q1 2026 Canadian Small Business Health Index showed positive momentum, rising to 100.9. This represents a 2.3 per cent quarterly increase and a 1.5 per cent gain year-over-year. The rebound is heavily supported by improving future expectations, with small business economic sentiment jumping 6.5 per cent quarter-over-quarter.

Rising Delinquencies and Credit Stress

The national 60+ day delinquency rate for financial trades rose 11.37 per cent year-over-year to 3.83 per cent in Q1 2026. Conversely, the 60+ day delinquency rate for industrial trades fell 26.15 per cent year-over-year to 4.32 per cent. Financial trades track missed payments on bank loans, business credit cards, and lines of credit, while industrial trades measure payments to suppliers and trade partners.

"Many businesses seem to be protecting the day-to-day supplier relationships needed to keep operating, while also managing bank debt, longer-term loans, and other lender obligations," said Jeff Brown, Head of Commercial Solutions at Equifax Canada. "Businesses are cutting back on credit cards and lines of credit, but late payments to banks and lenders are still rising."

Shift in Credit Usage

Canadian businesses reduced their use of short-term credit in Q1. Total line of credit balances fell 21.3 per cent year-over-year to $1.55 billion, while business credit card balances declined 17.2 per cent to $5.54 billion. At the same time, average instalment loan debt increased three per cent year-over-year to $129,421. This shift suggests businesses are moving away from revolving credit and relying more on structured borrowing.

Debt pressure is concentrated among higher-risk businesses. Those in the highest-risk tier saw debt levels increase 35.8 per cent year-over-year, carrying an average debt load of $108,138 per business. This figure is up 32.2 per cent year-over-year and nearly double the debt load of any other risk category.

Provincial Delinquency Rates

Ontario recorded the highest financial trade delinquency rate in the country at 4.22 per cent, up 13.93 per cent year-over-year. In Western Canada, Alberta's financial trade delinquency rate was 3.72 per cent, up 6.71 per cent, while British Columbia reached 3.32 per cent, up 12.94 per cent. Atlantic Canada saw sharp increases, with Prince Edward Island financial trade delinquencies rising 21.60 per cent and Nova Scotia increasing 19.26 per cent.